Ureteral damage caused by fibroid tumor removal

A woman presented to her Ob/Gyn with abdominal pain. Test results revealed that the pain was linked to uterine fibroid tumors, which were immediately removed surgically without incident. Postoperatively, however, the patient complained of a urinary tract infection (UTI), and a follow-up exam showed damage to her left ureter. Despite efforts to repair the injury, the woman continues to complain of recurrent UTIs.

In suing, the patient argued that if the surgeon had properly mobilized her bladder and located her left ureter, she would not have suffered ureteral damage.

The physician contended that ureteral damage was a known complication of the procedure. He added that the injury was later identified and treated, and that the patient made a full recovery.